I’m one of those folks who love to celebrate. Return home from a vacation?–put out the welcome sign. Make a good grade?–ice cream with sprinkles. Did something good without having to be harassed about it?–special dinner. So when a new book rolls out to the public, I throw a party. You’ll recognize me by the chocolate smears on my fingertips. (Sweet Shop USA keeps me stocked with Fudge Love truffles for just these sorts of occasions.)

Harmon General is getting the star treatment. Not only because it has a built-in audience thanks to the generous readers of The Big Inch who’ve been asking about this sequel, but because it proves that writing a good novel wasn’t a fluke. Well, the fluke factor might be a presumption since the book reviews are just beginning. But, still.

Friends are gathering to toss confetti for Harmon General’s flight into the hands of readers, but I also have a special book event planned for Saturday so that everyone in this neck of the woods (that would Longview, Texas) can buy an autographed copy as well. I’ll be at my favorite local book store, Barron’s. Though more of a gifts store and cafe now, Jim and Julia Barron have cultivated this author (and others) and I love, love, love that I can sell books in the beautiful treasure box of a store.

I hope to take the book with me to several area bookstores this summer and am willing to travel if you know of independent bookstores that welcome authors in for meet and greets with readers. Thanks for your kind support, and I hope you enjoy the new book!

It’s trite, but true. Launching a book is a lot like delivering a baby. After the pain of writing and producing the details for publication–and after those last few weeks when the book has arrived but I’m afraid to touch it–then comes a time friends and strangers start seeing the book cover, and oohing and ahhing over the pages, and Ta-Da all the good energy returns.

Harmon General was sent out to book bloggers/reviewers a few weeks ago and had a dry run through a fantastic bookstore in Kilgore, Texas, but now it’s show time. The reviews are rolling in, book signings and book events are scheduled, and readers are going to start posting comments to social media. Despite the tension I feel in my shoulders, there’s nothing to be done about the novel now but to hope that the book grows on readers and that they’ll talk about the story with their friends. Harmon General is the sequel to The Big Inch, and as such has some built in expectations that I may or may not have satisfied with those that enjoyed the first book. That was a risk I weighed when I pictured Emmie Tesco at the grand opening events of the Army hospital, Harmon General. But I hope the book is well received, and that readers fall a little bit more enchanted by life in WWII in an oil boom town, particularly as I’m itching to see if there’s a third novel to carry the series a bit farther.

If you’ve bought a copy of Harmon General and enjoyed it, post a picture with it to Instagram and tag me in the post–fish_writer. Or to Facebook and tag, Kimberly Fish, author. Like any mother, I’m curious to see where the book goes and what kind of company it’s keeping.

Thanks for sticking with me on this writing journey. If you’d like to receive news about future book releases or awards, please leave your email on the home page and I’ll include you the next time I send out a newsletter. And as always, I’d love to meet at the next “sip and see.”